White House issues veto threat for repeal of net-neutrality rules

The White House on Monday threatened to veto legislation from House Republicans that would repeal net-neutrality regulations.

In a statement of administration policy, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) said the president's advisers would recommend that he not sign a bill scrapping new Internet regulations from the Federal Communications Commission.

"If the President is presented with a Resolution of Disapproval that would not safeguard the free and open Internet, his senior advisers would recommend that he veto the Resolution," the statement said.

Net neutrality was an Obama campaign promise.

OMB said scrapping the rules "would undermine a fundamental part of the Nation’s Internet and innovation strategy — an enforceable and effective policy for keeping the Internet free and open."

The House is preparing for a floor debate Tuesday on a measure from House Communications subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) that would block the FCC's net-neutrality effort.

House Energy and Commerce Chairman Fred Upton said in a statement ahead of the debate that net-neutrality rules will hurt the economy.

"The FCC has taken unprecedented action and tried to ‘fix’ a market that’s not broken. There is no crisis warranting an intervention and these rules will do more harm than good by chilling the very investment and innovation we need to ensure the Internet keeps pace with the growing demands being placed on it," Upton said.

"This week, the House has an opportunity to protect the Internet and the economy while restoring Congress’ role as representatives of the people,” he added.